SUGAR COMMISSION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8295, 5 December 1912, Page 7

SUGAR COMMISSION

COMPANY’S HIGH PROFITS THE CONTROL OF PRICES. MELBOURNE, December «- Tho figures supplied by the company to the Sugar Commission show that tho business produces high profits. The Commission was opposed to tho nationalisation of the sugar industry and the Commonwealth competing with existing concerns.

With a view to keeping down the price of refined, while raising tho price of raw material, the report recommends the amendment of tho Constitution to enable the Commonwealth to control tho prices of raw sugar and sugar cane, and that thereupon the price of raw material bo fixed on sliding scale by an inter-Stats Commission, tho price of cane to be fixed by the board for each mill. A minimum wage of Bs, an eight-hour day, and better conditions for workers is recommended; also tho retention of the rebate sugar duty on exported manufactured products, and a special excise of A‘2 per ton for beet sugar when the production exceeds 10,000 tons. THE MINORITY REPORT. (Received December 4, 10-5 p.m.) MELBOURNE. December 4. Tho minority report of tho Sugar Com*, mission strongly defends tho Colonial Sugar Company and urges that the, beet industry in Victoria should bo encouraged as far as possible, as it is unlikely that tho requirements of Australia will bo met by the production of cane sugar in New South Wales .and Queensland for several years to come. Tho conclusions include tho following: That the excise duty and the bounty system, in conjunction with other moa : surce, fulfilled their purpose. That tho profits of tho mill owners and refiners, while sufficient, were not excessive. That the consumer and primary producer are better served under tho existing conditions than they would he under a system of small independent refineries. That the farmers did not receive an adequate return, for their labor and enterprise. Tho recommendations include the abolition of the excise and bounty, the prohibition of colored labor, the increase of the import duty on sugar to -67 per ton, but if tho excise duty and bounty are retained, an increase of the import duty to -69. It is added that wages and conditions of labor should bo regulated by the local boards.